Convertible table tennis table assembly

ABSTRACT

A convertible game table assembly has an elongated generally rectangular table member pivotally mounted on a base with spaced sidewalls for movement between a horizontal table position and a substantially vertical storage position. Means for aligning and coupling the table member of the assembly with the table member of a similar game table assembly is provided, including connecting means movably mounted on the table member for movement between a storage position between the ends of the table member and a coupling position extending beyond an end of the table member when the table member is in the horizontal table position for coupling with the table member of an associated similar game table assembly. Two similar game table assembles having their table members pivoted into horizontal position may have their ends coupled together to provide a full size game table, or they may have their table members perpendicularly disposed and abutting to provide a playback table. The bases include shelves for an attractive bookcase assembly with the table member pivoted into vertical position, and the forward surface in the vertical position may have a cork covering or a blackboard coating to provide a multiuse structure.

United States Patent Zimmers et a1.

11] 3,866,913 [45] Feb. 18, 1975 CONVERTIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE ASSEMBLY I [75] Inventors: Melvin Zimmers, Westport; Gary A.

Gerber, Weston, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Coleco Industries, Inc., Hartford,

Conn.

[22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 330,175

152] U.S. Cl 273/30, 108/11, 108/64, 108/114, 108/50 [51] Int. Cl A63b 67/04 [58] Field of Search 273/30; 108/6, 11, 13,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,911,217 ll/l959 Hirsch et al. 273/30 3,304,891 2/1967 Rachman.. 108/36 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,361,402 4/1964 France 108/36 1,473,327 2/1967 France 273/30 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-T. Brown [57] ABSTRACT A convertible game table assembly has an elongated generally rectangular table member pivotally mounted on a base with spaced sidewalls for movement between a horizontal table position and a substantially vertical storage position. Means for aligning and coupling the table member of the assembly with the table member of a similar game table assembly is provided, including connecting means movably mounted on the table member for movement between a storage position between the ends of the table member and a coupling position extending beyond an end of the table member when the table member is in the horizontal table position for coupling with the table member of an associated similar game table assembly.

Two similar game table assembles having their table members pivoted-into horizontal position may have their ends coupled together to provide a full size game table, or they may have their table members perpendicularly disposed and abutting to provide a playback table. The bases include shelves for an attractive bookcase assembly with the table member pivoted into vertical position, and the forward surface in the vertical position may have a cork covering or a blackboard coating to provide a multiuse structure.

33 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures I PIJEHTEUFEBIWYS 3,866,913

SHEET 30$ 3 CONVERTIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various game table structures presently exist for billiards, table tennis, bumper pool and the like. Generally such structures occupy a considerable amount of floor space when not in actual use and there has been an increasing tendency to develop game table structures which may be readily disassembled for storage, or which are convertible for multiple use, or which may be collapsed to a unit occupying less floor space. Among such convertible game table structures are units in which a table member has a billiard table surface and a book case surface and it is pivotably supported upon a desk base to utilize either surface. Another type involves a table assembly with reversible or interchangeable tops to provide different game or utilitarian functions.

Table tennis tables have been designed which will readily fold or otherwise collapse for storage because of the relatively large amount of space which they occupy, and a number of structures exist providing a removable tennis table top for a billiard table or the like. Still other structures provide a pivotal portion for the table tennis table which will pivot into a substantially vertical position to serve as a playback surface to return balls impinging thereon.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel convertible game table assembly providing an elongated playing surface and requiring for storage only the limited vertical height present in the average home.

It is also an object to provide such a convertible game table assembly in which the storage position provides a highly utilitarian and attractive structure which doess not require removal of items stored on'the shelves SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can be readily attained in a convertible game table assembly which includes a table unit having a base having a pair of space sidewalls, an elongated generally rectangular table member, and'means pivotably supporting the table member on the sidewalls for movement about an axis perpendicular to the sidewalls between a horizontal table position and a substantially leasable latching means for securing the connecting means in at least the coupling position. The base may also include rolling means on the bottom thereof spaced to opposite side of the pivotal axis.

In a normal playing embodiment of the invention the convertible game table assembly-includes a second table unit with coupling means provided on the second table member. The first mentioned and second table members are horizontally disposed with the ends thereof in aligned abutting engagement and the coupling means of the table members being interengaged to couple the table members, whereby a full size table surface is provided. The coupling means may also include an aligning pin projecting from the edge of one of the table members at the abutting end and an aperture in the edge of the abutting end of-the other table member in which the pin is seated to effect alignmentv Releasable latching means may also be provided for securing the coupling means in the coupling position thereof.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aligning and coupling means include a pair of channel members extending longitudinally of the table member and at least one connecting member slidably seated in one of the channel members for movement from a storage position fully within such channel member to a coupling position extending beyond one end of the table member. The aligning and coupling means may also include releasable latching means for securing the connecting member in at least the coupling position, the releasable latching means itself comprising a latch'pin seated in such channel mem ber and the connecting member having a plurality of apertures therein in which the latch pin is engageable. The aligning and coupling means may also provide a connecting member in each of the channel members and an aligning pin projecting from the edge of one table member at the aforementioned one end for engagement in an aperture in the edge of a cooperating table member.

For normal table game playing usage, the convertible game table assembly additionally. includes a second table unit and the first mentioned and second table members being horizontally disposed with their ends in abutting engagement. Means for aligning and coupling the second table member includes a pair of channel members extending longitudnally of the second table member, which are aligned with the pair of channel members of the first mentioned table members. The connecting members are partially seated in the aligned channel members and releasably couple the table members to provide a full sized table surface.

Preferably each of the longitudinally extending channel members seat a single latch pin and each of the connecting members has three apertures in'which the latch pin is engageable. Stiffening members extending along the edges of the table members at the transverse ends thereof are also provided, apair of the channel members and a pair of the stiffening members being secured together about each of the table members -to provide a relatively rigid frame therefor. The stiffening members extending along the edges of the table members at the non-abutting transverse ends may be channel members. In this case the longitudinal and transverse channel members are configured to seat edges of the table members and to substantially cover the surface of the seated edges so that each of the non-abutting edges of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of'two convertible game table units aligned and coupled to provide a full table tennis table surface;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view to an enlarged scale of a convertible game table unit of FIG. 1 and with the net removed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 33 of FIG. 2, with the table member being shown in phantom line in-the vertical position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view to an enlarged scale of a pair of table members and the aligning and coupling means for the convertible game assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentarysectional view to a greatly enlarged scale taken along the line 5"5 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.'4;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the latch pin I in a retracted position;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded fragmentary perspective view to enlarged scale of the stiffening, aligning and coupling'means of the table units, the table members having been omitted for the purpose of clarity of illustration;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view to a greatly enlarged scale of the abutting ends of the table members showing the aligning pin of one table unit and the cooperating aperture of the other table unit;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view to an enlarged scale of a corner of the table member adjacent the player end with the table member removed for clarity of illustration; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the two convertible game table units arranged in a playback position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, therein illustrated is a convertible game table assembly comprised of two coupled game table units generally designated by the THE BASE The base 12 is comprised of a spaced pair of upstanding rectangular sidewalls 30, 32' and top and bottom horizontal shelves 34 and 36, respectively, disposed therebetween. .The top and bottom shelves 34, 36 are secured by fasteners (not shown) at each end to one of the sidewalls 30, 32 upon horizontally extending top and bottom shelf support blocks 38 and 40 mounted on the interior surfaces of sidewalls 30, 32. The bottom shelf support blocks 40 extend the entire width of the sidewalls 30, 32 and seat depending casters 42 at either end to permit the base 12 to be easily moved about a floor; for stability, the casters 42 are well spaced to opposite sides of the pivotable support means 16. To present a finished front for the base 12, moldings 44 are affixed to the front edges of the shelf support blocks 38, 40.

The bottom shelf 36 extends from the front of the base 12 backwards to a point short of, but adjacent to, an imaginary vertical line running through. the pivot support meansl6 and top shelf 34 and top shelf support blocks 38 are even narrower, all for purposes to be discussed hereinafter in detail. A horizontal support block 46 is firmly secured to the interior surface of each sidewall 30, 32, spaced slightly below the level of the pivot support means 16 and disposed between the pivot support means 16 and the front of the sidewalls THE TABLE MEMBER width of the space between the interior surfaces of the sidewalls 30, 32 to permit the table member 14 to be pivotably mounted therebetween, while the length of thetable member 14 is approximately half the length of the desired game table assembly. As more clearly seen in FIGS. 4-7, the table member 14 of the table.

unit 10 is a double ply laminate mounted so that, when the table member 14 is in the horizontal or table position, there is an upper surface provided by relatively hard, wood-like layer 68 suitable for use as part of a table tennis and a bottom surface provided by a relatively pregnable layer 70 of cork or the like suitable for use as a bulletin board, dart board and the like. The other table member l4has its lower surface treated with a washable coating for use as a blackboard.

ALIGNING AND COUPLING MEANS The longitudinal sides of the table member 14 are supported and affixed to the base 12 for pivotable movement thereon by means ofa pair of opposed channel members generally designated by the numeral 80. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, each channel member is of complex configuration with an outwardly facing channel portion 82 at the lower end thereof, a lip portion 84 extending upwardly at the outer end of the channel portion 82 and a flange portion 86 extending inwardly from the upper, inner end of the channel portion 82. The table member 14 seats upon the flange portion 86 and abuts against the lip portion 84 which partially conceals its edge, and fasteners 88 extend through the flange portion 86 into the table member 14 so as to secure it firmly thereto.

The channel portion 82 is disposed underneath the table member 14 and its interior channel is easily accessible through the spacing between the legs thereof. A channel member 80 also extends across the player end A of the table member 14, and the abutting ends of the channel members 80 are bevelled to provide a miter joint as seen in FIG. 10. Right angle brackets 90 and pop rivets 92 secure the channel members 80 together to provide a firm assembly. The abutting or net end B of the table member 14 is provided with an inwardly facing right angle stiffening member 94 which is similarly secured to the table member 14 and connected at its ends to the-longitudinally extending channel members 80 by right angle brackets 96 and pop rivets 92. ln this manner, the longitudinal channel mem bers 80, the transverse channel member 80 and the transverse stiffening member 94 provide a rugged, closed frame for the table member 14 to rigidity it and to permit distribution of stresses acting thereon. In addition to acting as stiffening members, the channel members 80 also serve to seat the lower portion of the side edges and player end A of the'table member 14, thereby substantially covering the surface of the seated edges to provide an attractive appearance for the table member 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

Referring now to FIG. 9, alignment of the convertible game table units 10, 11 is facilitated by means of an aligning pin assembly provided by the aligning pin 104 projecting from the abutting end B of the table member 14 through an aperture. in the stiffening member 94 upon which it is mounted at about the center line thereof. The stiffening member 94 of the table unit 11 has a cooperating aperture 106 adjacent its center line i which is configured in dimension to snugly receive the aligning pin 104.

Slidably seated within the channel portions 82 of the channel members 80 extending along the longitudinal or side edges of the table member 14 are elongated connecting or coupling members 48 of generally reverse C-shaped cross section. The coupling members 48 have two spaced circular apertures 50 and an elongated aperture 52 for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter and each is slidable within the channel member 80 between a retracted or storage position in which it is fully disposed within the channel member 80 of one of the game units 10, 11, and a coupling position in which approximately half the length thereof projects beyond the abutting end B of a table unit in which it is seated and into the channel portion 82 of the cooperating table unit. These elongated coupling members 48 thus securely couple the two side edges of the table units 10, 11 to maintain and align and rigidify the structure.

To maintain the coupling members 48 in either the retracted or coupling position, each channel member 80 has mounted in the channel portion 82 thereof a latch 'pin assembly generally designated by the numeral 54 and each comprised of a locking pin 56, a pair of retaining rings 58, 60 on opposite sides of the web of the channel portion 82 and a spring washer 62 which is disposed between the outer retaining ring 60 and the web. The spring washer 62 biases the locking pin 56 outwardly into the channel portion 82 so that it may engage in one of the apertures 50, 52 in the coupling member 48 to secure it in one of the two positions.

The circular apertures 50 snugly seat the projecting head of the latch pin 56 so as to firmly lock it in position whereas the elongated aperture 52 provides a degree of longitudinal play for the latch pin 56 during movement of the coupling members 48 from one position to another. More particularly, the latch pin assembly'54 seated in one of the circular apertures 50 is retracted by gripping the knurled inner end of the latch pin 56, and the coupling member 48 is then displaced longitudinally to the extent permitted by the elongated.

aperture 52. At this point, the latch pin assembly 54 once seated in the circular aperture 50 is slid along the surface of the coupling'member 48. The user may then retract the latch pin 56 of the latch pin assembly 54 which is engaged in the elongated aperture 52 to permit full movement of the coupling member 48 until the latch pins 56 snap into the apertures 50, 52 in the alternate position of the coupling member 48. Thus, the coupling members 48 are releasably engaged in either the storage position or the coupling position to prevent inadvertent movement thereof. As will be appreciated, the coupling members 48.may be stored in the channel portions 82 of either of the table units 10, 11 as only one pair of coupling members is required for each pair of table units 10, ll.

PIIVOTAL SUPPORT MEANS Thepivotal supportmeans 16 is conveniently provided by bolts 22 extending through apertures in the sidewalls 30, 32 of the bs'es l2 and through the channel portions 82 of the channel members 80. Nylon bushings (not shown) are provided in each sidewall 30, 32 to facilitate pivotal action and minimize wear, and the bolts 22 are secured in positionafter assembly of the table members 14 upon the bases 12 by wing nuts 24.

.As clearly seen in FIG. 3, the pivotal support means 16 is disposed at a distance from the vertical center line of the base 12 adjacent the abutting end B of the table member 14 and at a point spaced above the support blocks 46. Thus, the table member 14 may be pivoted about the pivotal support means 16 from the horizontal position shown in'full line in FIG 3 to the vertical storage position shown in phantom line in FIG. 3. Movement substantially beyond the vertical position is precluded by abutment of the table member 14 against the bottom shelf 36. This off-center spacing of the pivotal support means 16 will thus orient the table member 14 adjacent the rearward portion of the base 12 in the vertical storage position making the shelves 34, 36 fully accessible for utilization.

1n the horizontal position of the table member 14, the player end portion A thereof is supported upon the support blocks 46 to prevent collapse or further movement in that direction.

OPERATION In its storage position, the convertible game table assembly is maintained with the table membersl4 of the units 10, 11 in a substantially vertical position, the connecting members 48 being secured in a retracted position within channel members 80 by the latch pin assemblies 54 passing through apertures 50 and 52. The relatively pregnable cork'layer is accessible from the front of the base 12 and is available for use as a bulletin board, dart receiving surface or the like, with the rear edge of the bottom shelf 36 acting as a stop to preclude pivotal motion of the table member 14 from its substantially vertical position in response to pressure applied to the portion of the table member 14 extending above the pivot support means 16. As indicated hereinbefore, one table unit may have a blackboard surface. The units 10, 11 may be stored back-to-back, side-to-side or even at remote locations to make use of the available floor space. The shelves 34, 36 of the base 12 may be utilized for bookcases, storage areas and the like.

To provide a full sized table game playing surface, the two units 10, 11 are placed in approximate juxtaposition, and the table members 14 are easily pivoted to the horizontal position where they rest on horizontal support blocks 46 in a relatively stable orientation.

The units 10, 11 are then moved to align the abutting ends B of the table members 14 and the aligning pin 104 of table unit enters the aperture 106 of table unit 11. Once aligning pin 104 is engaged in aperture 106, the channel members 80 and 80 are automatically aligned. Thus, the user may next reach under the apron, pull on knurled handle of a latch pin 56 to the retracted position and thereby disengage its head from the circular aperture 50 so that coupling member 48 is free for longitudinal movement' along the channel member 80. The coupling member 48 is then conveniently moved by a finger inserted into the channel portion 82 and caused to slide horizontally towards the end B until the aperture 50 is no longer aligned with the latch pin 56, at which point the latch pin. 56 may be released so that its head will bear on the surface of the coupling member 48 until aperture 52 is aligned therewith. I

The latchpin 56 of the other table unit is then retracted and movement ofcoupling member 48 to the fully extended position is continued, at which point the elongated aperture 52 is aligned with the latch pin 56 and its head will automatically and securely engage in an aperture 50. The latch pin 56 is then released and, if the table members 14, l4 are correctly aligned and abutting and the coupling member 48 is extended as fully as possible with the latch pin 56 abutting the rear end of elongated aperture 52, the latch pin 56 of the associated table unit will automatically and securely engage in a circular aperture 50.

The couping member 48 on the other side of the units 10, 11 is then similarly moved to its extended position and locked therein. The resultant combination pro vides a full size game table surface completely enclosed by an attractive, edge-concealing apron formed by channel members 80 with the coupling members 48 securing the channel members 80 in abutting end-to-end relationship. As a result of this continuous metal apron construction, the tables may be leaned upon and even sat upon without resultant misalignment or separation.

To separate the units 10, 11. previously set up as an end-to-end table combination, the latch pin assemblies are similarly disengaged to permit sliding ofthe coupling members 48 to a storage position within a channel member 80 of oneof the units. Downward pressure on the table end B thereafter causes the table member 14 to swing to its substantially vertical position with bottom shelf 36 blocking the travel path of the end B to preclude excessive deviation from the vertical in the direction of the swing.

It is a feature of the present invention that the units 10, 11 may also be placed in a playback position to enable the user to practice his shots, much as a tennis member 14 of the game'table unitfll is in the substantially vertical or storage position, the net end B of table member 14 being in abutting relationship against the playing surface of the table member 14 of unit 11 which serves as the backboard. While the connecting members 48 are in the retracted positions and there is actually nothing connecting the game unitss 10, ll beyond the abutment of table member end B against surface 68 between the sidewalls 30, 32 of game unit 11, orientation of the components is essentially stable. The playing end A is precluded from a downward pivotal movement by the horizontal support blocks 46'and the end B is precluded from side-to-side motion relative to the other unit 11 by the entrapment'between the sidewalls 30, 32 thereof. The other forces acting on the combination result from the action of the ball against the vertical end A and the horizontal end B and such forces are ordinarily insufficient to effect movement of the relatively massive table members involved. Accordingly, the table members tend to retain their relatively perpendicular orientation characteristic of the playback combination.

To provide. an attractive trim and a relatively rigid frame for the table member 14, the channel members 80 and the stiffening rn'ember94 are formed of extruded aluminum which combines attractiveness with strength. Because of the stresses to which they are subjected, the coupling members 48 and the latch pins 56 are preferably formed of steel to provide additional strength. The table or playing surface is formed of material such as a woodlike particle board for use as a table tennis table surface, and the other surface is preferably formed ofa relatively pregnable material such as cork for use as a bulletin board or provided with an attractive coating permitting its functioning as a blackboard. The shelves, shelf supportsand sidewalls of the base member are conveniently formed of wood with plastic molding or trim provided for decoration as desired.

While the table member structure has been shown and described as a laminate providing a half-length table tennis surface on-one side and a corklike surface on the other side, clearly the table member may be so formed and configured as to provide any half-length table game surface on one side and any diferent and useful surface'on the other side.

In addition to the coupling and aligning means specifically illustrated, other types may be employed including pivoted bars which are engaged upon one table member and pivotable into engagement with a cooperating latch on the other table member. Coupling members may be slidably seated upon support brackets of other than channel configuration, and other arrangements of latch pins may be employed.

If so desired, the table members can be locked in the vertical position by latch means on the base members player practices against a backboard. Referring now to and the assembly may also include means for latching the table members in the playback position although this has not been found to be necessary.

Thus, it can be seen from the foregoing description and drawings that the present invention provides a novel convertible game table assembly especially useful for elongated table games and that the heightof each unit in its storage position is substantially only half that of the full table game surface length so as to permit vertical storage in the average room found in a home. The base of each game table assembly occupies little floor space and is relatively compact because it need support only one-half of the total game surface. The bases, which are in fixed relative position when the table members are aligned and coupled, may be stored remotely from one another when the table members are in the storage position and in locations having relatively low ceilings. The assembly is of durable construction and attractive appearance and relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture and yet provides a sturdy structure.

We claim:

1. A convertible game table assembly adapted for coupling with a second game table assembly of similar construction comprising:

a. a base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;

b. an elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides;

c. means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position on said sidewalls for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table member; and

d. means for aligning and coupling said table member of said game table assembly with the table member ofa similar game table assembly including coupling means movably mounted on said table member for movement between a fully retracted storage position and an outwardly extended coupling position extending beyond an end of'said table member when said table member is in said horizontal table position in which said couping means is adapted for coupling with a table member of an associated similar game table assembly.

2. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for securing said coupling means in at least said coupling position.

3. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said base includes rolling means on the bottom thereof spaced to opposite sides of said pivotal axis for rolling of the table assembly along the floor.

4. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 including a second convertible game table assembly hav- .ing:

a second base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;

a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends said sides;

means connecting said sidewalls to said table sides to pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal table position and'a vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second table member; and

coupling means onsaid second table member, said first mentioned and second table members being horizontally disposed with ends thereof in aligned abutting engagement, and said coupling meansof said table members being interengaged to couple said table members, whereby a full size .table surface is provided by said aligned and coupled table members.

5. The convertible game table assembly of claim 4 wherein said coupling means includes an aligning pin projecting from the edge of one of said table members at the abutting end and an aperture in the edge of the abutting end of theother table member in which said pin is seated to effect alignment,

6. The convertible game table assembly of claim 4 includes releasable latching means for securing said coupling means in the coupling position thereof.

7. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 including a second convertible game table assembly having:

a second base having spaced sidewalls;

a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides; means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal table position and a vertical storage position said sidewalls of said second base for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second table member between a horizontal table position and a substantially vertical storage position; and

coupling means on said second table member for coupling said second table member to said first mentioned table member in the horizontal position thereof, said first mentioned and second 4 table members being substantially perpendicularly disposed relative to each other with said second table member being in said vertical position thereof and said first mentioned table member being in the horizontal position thereof and abutting said vertical second table member between the ends thereof, whereby said vertical second table member has its playing surface positioned to serve as a backboard for the playing surface of said horizontal first mentioned table member to return balls impinging thereon.

8. The convertible game table assembly of claim 7 wherein said pivotal support means of said vertical second table member is spaced from the vertical centerline of the base thereof towards the end of the sidewalls disposed towards said horizontal first mentioned table table member, wherein said horizontal first mentioned table member abuts said vertical table member adjacent its pivotal axis and wherein said base of said vertical second table member includes stop means for limit 9. The convertible game table assembly of claim 8 i wherein said base of said horizontal table member in cludes horizontal support means on.said sidewalls supporting said table member in said horizontal position and disposed to the side of the vertical centerline of said base spaced from said vertical table member, wherein said table members are disposed between the sidewalls of said bases and wherein said horizontal table member abuts said vertical table member between the sidewalls of the base thereof to maintain horizontal alignment of said table member.

10. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said sidewalls include horizontal support means for supporting said table member when pivoted into said horizontal table position.

11. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said pivotal support means is disposed to one side of the vertical centerline of said sidewalls.

12. The convertible game table assemly of claim 1 wherein said base includes stop means for limiting pivwherein said table member has its lower surface in said horizontal position formed from a preg'nable material for use of said lower surface as a board for mounting documents by tacks.

coupling with a second game table assembly of similar construction comprising:

additionally including stiffening members adjacent to the edges of said table member at the transverse ends thereof and wherein said channel members and stiffening members are secured together to provide a relatively rigid frame for said table member.

13. The convertible game table assembly of claim 12 wherein said stop means comprises a shelf extending between said sidewalls.

14. The convertible game table assembly of claim 13 wherein said base includes a plurality of shelves extending horizontally between said sidewalls.

15. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 16. A convertible game table assembly adapted for a. a base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;

b. an elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides;

c. means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table member; and I d. means for aligning and coupling said table'member of said game table assembly with the table member of a similar game table assemblyin'cluding a pair of channel members extending longitudinally along 30 the side edges of said table member and at least one connecting member slidably seated in one of said channel members for movement from a storage position fully within said one channel member to a coupling position extending partially beyond one end of said table member. 7 I

17. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for securing said connecting 1 member in at least said coupling position.

18. The convertible game table assembly of claim 17 19. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said aligning and coupling means includes one of said connecting members in each of-said channel members.

20. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said channel members extend along the l0ngitudinal edges of said table member and provide stiffening thereof.

21. The convertible game table assembly of claim 20 22. The convertible game table'a'ssembly of claim 2l 23. The convertible game table assemblyofclaim 16 including a second convertible game table assembly having:

a second base havinga pair of spaced sidewalls;

a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides;

means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table member; and

means for aligning and coupling said second table member including a pair of channel members extending longitudinally along the side edges of said second table member;

said first mentioned and second table members being horizontally disposed with their ends in abutting engagement, said pair of channel members of said second table member being aligned with the channel members of said first mentioned table member, said connecting members being partially seated in and releasably coupling said aligned channel members;

whereby a full sized table surface is provided by said aligned and coupled table members.

24. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein said aligning'and coupling means includes releasable latching means for securing said connecting members in at least said coupling position.

25. The convertible game table assembly of claim 24 wherein said releasable latching means comprises latch pins seated in each of said channel members and said connecting members have a plurality of apertures in which said latch pins are engageable- 26. The convertible game table assembly of claim 24 wherein each of said channel members seats a single one of said latch pins and each of said connecting members has three of said apertures.

27. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein an aligning pin on said first mentioned table member is seated in an aperturein said second table member. I

28. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 additionally including stiffening members extending along the edges of said table members at the transverse ends thereof, and wherein a pair of said channel members and a pair of said stiffening members are secured together about each of said table members to provide a relatively rigid frame therefor.

29. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein said sidewalls of said bases include horizontal support means for supporting said table members when pivoted into said horizontal table position.

30. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 including asecond convertible game table assembly having:

a second base having a pair of spacedsidewalls;

a second elongated generally rectangular table mem- .ber having ends and sides;

means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotally support and said second table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second table member, and

means for aligning and coupling said second table member to said first mentioned table member in the horizontal position thereof including a pair of channel members extending longitudinally of said second table member;

said first mentioned and second table members being substantially perpendicularly disposed relative to each other with said second table member being in said vertical position and the other of said table members being in said horizontal position and said first mentioned table member abutting said second vertical table member between the ends thereof, whereby said vertical second table member has its playing surface positioned to serve as a backboard for the playing surface of said first mentioned horizontal table member to return balls impinging thereon. 1 31. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 wherein said pivotal support means of said vertical second table member is spaced from the vertical centerline of the base thereof and adjacent the end of the sidewalls disposed towards said first mentioned horizontal table member, wherein said horizontal table member abuts said vertical table member adjacent its pivotal axis and wherein said base of said vertical table member includes stop means for limiting pivotal movement of the lower end of said vertical table member away from said horizontal table member.

32. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 I horizontal alignment of said table members.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 1 Dated February 18, 1975 Inventor(s) Melvin Zimmers and Gary A. Gerber It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9, line 33, "couping" should be coupling-; line 49, "said" should be -and;

Column 10, line 15, after "position" insert -on;

Column 12, line 58, cancel "and" after support".

Signed and Scaled this [SEAL] AIIESI.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Mrvsn'ng Officer Commissioner 0/ Parents and Trademarks 

1. A convertible game table assembly adapted for coupling with a second game table assembly of similar construction comprising: a. a base having a pair of spaced sidewalls; b. an elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides; c. means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position on said sidewalls for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table member; and d. means for aligning and coupling said table member of said game table assembly with the table member of a similar game table assembly including coupling means movably mounted on said table member for movement between a fully retracted storage position and an outwardly extended coupling position extending beyond an end of said table member when said table member is in said horizontal table position in which said couping means is adapted for coupling with a table member of an associated similar game table assembly.
 2. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for securing said coupling means in at least said coupling position.
 3. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said base includes rolling means on the bottom thereof spaced to opposite sides of said pivotal axis for rolling of the table assembly along the floor.
 4. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 including a second convertible game table assembly having: a second base having a pair of spaced sidewalls; a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends said sides; means connecting said sidewalls to said table sides to pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal table position and a vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second table member; and coupling means on said second table member, said first mentioned and second table members being horizontally disposed with ends thereof in aligned abutting engagement, and said coupling means of said table members being interengaged to couple said table members, whereby a full size table surface is provided by said aligned and coupled table members.
 5. The convertible game table assembly of claim 4 wherein said coupling means includes an aligning pin projecting from the edge of one of said table members at the abutting end and an aperture in the edge of the abutting end of the other table member in which said pin is seated to effect alignment.
 6. The convertible game table assembly of claim 4 includes releasable latching means for securing said coupling means in the coupling position thereof.
 7. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 including a second convertible game table assembly having: a secoNd base having spaced sidewalls; a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides; means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal table position and a vertical storage position said sidewalls of said second base for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second table member between a horizontal table position and a substantially vertical storage position; and coupling means on said second table member for coupling said second table member to said first mentioned table member in the horizontal position thereof, said first mentioned and second table members being substantially perpendicularly disposed relative to each other with said second table member being in said vertical position thereof and said first mentioned table member being in the horizontal position thereof and abutting said vertical second table member between the ends thereof, whereby said vertical second table member has its playing surface positioned to serve as a backboard for the playing surface of said horizontal first mentioned table member to return balls impinging thereon.
 8. The convertible game table assembly of claim 7 wherein said pivotal support means of said vertical second table member is spaced from the vertical centerline of the base thereof towards the end of the sidewalls disposed towards said horizontal first mentioned table table member, wherein said horizontal first mentioned table member abuts said vertical table member adjacent its pivotal axis and wherein said base of said vertical second table member includes stop means for limiting pivotal movement of the lower end of said vertical second table member away from said horizontal first mentioned table member.
 9. The convertible game table assembly of claim 8 wherein said base of said horizontal table member includes horizontal support means on said sidewalls supporting said table member in said horizontal position and disposed to the side of the vertical centerline of said base spaced from said vertical table member, wherein said table members are disposed between the sidewalls of said bases and wherein said horizontal table member abuts said vertical table member between the sidewalls of the base thereof to maintain horizontal alignment of said table member.
 10. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said sidewalls include horizontal support means for supporting said table member when pivoted into said horizontal table position.
 11. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said pivotal support means is disposed to one side of the vertical centerline of said sidewalls.
 12. The convertible game table assemly of claim 1 wherein said base includes stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said table member in one direction from said substantially vertical position.
 13. The convertible game table assembly of claim 12 wherein said stop means comprises a shelf extending between said sidewalls.
 14. The convertible game table assembly of claim 13 wherein said base includes a plurality of shelves extending horizontally between said sidewalls.
 15. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said table member has its lower surface in said horizontal position formed from a pregnable material for use of said lower surface as a board for mounting documents by tacks.
 16. A convertible game table assembly adapted for coupling with a second game table assembly of similar construction comprising: a. a base having a pair of spaced sidewalls; b. an elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides; c. means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table member; and d. means for aligning and coupling saiD table member of said game table assembly with the table member of a similar game table assembly including a pair of channel members extending longitudinally along the side edges of said table member and at least one connecting member slidably seated in one of said channel members for movement from a storage position fully within said one channel member to a coupling position extending partially beyond one end of said table member.
 17. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for securing said connecting member in at least said coupling position.
 18. The convertible game table assembly of claim 17 wherein said releasable latching means comprises a latch pin seated in said one channel member and said connecting member has a plurality of apertures therein in which said latch pin is engageable.
 19. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said aligning and coupling means includes one of said connecting members in each of said channel members.
 20. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said channel members extend along the longitudinal edges of said table member and provide stiffening thereof.
 21. The convertible game table assembly of claim 20 additionally including stiffening members adjacent to the edges of said table member at the transverse ends thereof and wherein said channel members and stiffening members are secured together to provide a relatively rigid frame for said table member.
 22. The convertible game table assembly of claim 21 wherein said channel members are configured to seat the edge of said table member and to substantially cover the surface of the seated edge.
 23. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 including a second convertible game table assembly having: a second base having a pair of spaced sidewalls; a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides; means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table member; and means for aligning and coupling said second table member including a pair of channel members extending longitudinally along the side edges of said second table member; said first mentioned and second table members being horizontally disposed with their ends in abutting engagement, said pair of channel members of said second table member being aligned with the channel members of said first mentioned table member, said connecting members being partially seated in and releasably coupling said aligned channel members; whereby a full sized table surface is provided by said aligned and coupled table members.
 24. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein said aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for securing said connecting members in at least said coupling position.
 25. The convertible game table assembly of claim 24 wherein said releasable latching means comprises latch pins seated in each of said channel members and said connecting members have a plurality of apertures in which said latch pins are engageable.
 26. The convertible game table assembly of claim 24 wherein each of said channel members seats a single one of said latch pins and each of said connecting members has three of said apertures.
 27. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein an aligning pin on said first mentioned table member is seated in an aperture in said second table member.
 28. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 additionally including stiffening members extending along the edges of said table members at the transverse ends thereof, and wherein a pair of said channel members and a pair of said stiffening members are secured together about each of said table members to provide a relatively rigId frame therefor.
 29. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein said sidewalls of said bases include horizontal support means for supporting said table members when pivoted into said horizontal table position.
 30. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 including a second convertible game table assembly having: a second base having a pair of spaced sidewalls; a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and sides; means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to pivotally support and said second table member in both a horizontal table position and vertical storage position for movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second table member, and means for aligning and coupling said second table member to said first mentioned table member in the horizontal position thereof including a pair of channel members extending longitudinally of said second table member; said first mentioned and second table members being substantially perpendicularly disposed relative to each other with said second table member being in said vertical position and the other of said table members being in said horizontal position and said first mentioned table member abutting said second vertical table member between the ends thereof, whereby said vertical second table member has its playing surface positioned to serve as a backboard for the playing surface of said first mentioned horizontal table member to return balls impinging thereon.
 31. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 wherein said pivotal support means of said vertical second table member is spaced from the vertical centerline of the base thereof and adjacent the end of the sidewalls disposed towards said first mentioned horizontal table member, wherein said horizontal table member abuts said vertical table member adjacent its pivotal axis and wherein said base of said vertical table member includes stop means for limiting pivotal movement of the lower end of said vertical table member away from said horizontal table member.
 32. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 wherein said base of said horizontal table member includes horizontal support means on said sidewalls of said base of said horizontal table member supporting said horizontal table member and disposed to the side of the vertical centerline of said sidewalls of said base spaced from said vertical table member.
 33. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 wherein said table members are disposed between said sidewalls of said bases and wherein said horizontal table member abuts said vertical table member between said sidewalls of the base thereof to maintain horizontal alignment of said table members. 